Literacy Is Lit: Teen Founder Expands Kids’ Access to Books

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Lizzie Shacklett. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

When the world shut down in 2020, 17-year-old Lizzie Shacklett turned to her bookshelf. Reading became her refuge during the long, uncertain months of the pandemic—her comfort novels keeping her grounded when everything else felt unstable.

At the same time, she noticed something happening in her own neighborhood in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Families were cleaning out closets and shelves, but donation centers had stopped accepting items. Piles of books sat with nowhere to go. Lizzie realized those very books could instead be placed in the hands of children who lacked access to them.

That small spark lit something larger. What began as one small drive of 50 books for children in underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods has blossomed into Literacy Is Lit, a nonprofit that has distributed more than 65,500 books across the Mid-Atlantic. Along the way, Lizzie has launched youth leadership programs, authored a children’s book of her own, and inspired peers across the country to believe in the power of reading.

What inspired you to start Literacy Is Lit?

In 2020, I spent a lot of time reading to manage the struggles of the pandemic. Around the same time, neighbors were cleaning out closets, but many donation centers weren’t accepting items—including books. I had my own children’s book collection that I’d outgrown, and I wanted to find those books a new home.

As I researched, I was alarmed to discover that one in four children in America grows up without learning how to read. Illiteracy can perpetuate cycles of intergenerational poverty, but studies also show that children who grow up in a household with books are more likely to succeed in literacy. That was my “aha” moment.

I organized a small drive of 50 books benefiting children at Step-by-Step Learning Centers in under-resourced Philadelphia areas. That experience grew into the multifaceted nonprofit Literacy Is Lit.

How do you organize your book drives and get the books into children’s hands?

Since founding Literacy Is Lit in seventh grade, I’ve hosted book drives in schools and partnered with local businesses like Main Point Books here in Wayne. My garage actually serves as a year-round drop-off site. It currently holds thousands of books at any given time. I quality-check and sort everything before distribution.

I also lead the Literacy Leaders program, where other youth host drives in their own communities. Together, we’ve built a network of young advocates who extend our reach far beyond Pennsylvania. Through these efforts, we’ve now distributed more than 65,500 books.

What were some of your favorite books growing up?

“The Giver” really shaped how I think about what matters most in life—making meaningful connections with people around you. “Esperanza Rising” was another important one, taught by my fifth-grade English teacher. It gave me perspective on hard work and appreciating what you have.

And “Fahrenheit 451” has had a big influence. It highlights what a world without books would look like and the power they hold in society. I’ve even quoted it in some of my advocacy work, because it underscores how vital literacy is for progress.

What kind of feedback have you received from the community?

One of our partners, Book Smiles in New Jersey, runs a “teacher take library.” Teachers can come in, select brand-new books in sets and bring them to their classrooms or give them to students to build home libraries. Interacting with these teachers—hearing how important this work is for their students—continues to fuel my passion and shows me the tangible difference Literacy Is Lit is making.

Tell us more about the Literacy Leaders program.

I launched Literacy Leaders to expand my impact by supporting other students in civic leadership efforts. Right now, I work with eight students, helping them kickstart their own book drives and projects. I provide mentorship and guidance through one-on-one and group meetings, and I also organize volunteer opportunities where they can bond, bounce ideas off each other and build on each other’s strengths.

We brainstorm together, plan drives and think about new ways to reach communities in need. Recently, we were awarded a micro-grant from the Karma for Kara Foundation to purchase shelving units and high-quality books for food pantries. Food insecurity and illiteracy are often intertwined—both rooted in systemic inequality—so this initiative addresses both. By placing shelves of books in food pantries, we meet families where they are and help children start building their own libraries at home.

You also wrote your own children’s book, “I Read Before Bed.” What’s that about?

It features six different children and the lessons they learn from reading before bed—everything from kindness and honesty to caring for the planet and nutrition. It’s geared toward elementary students, though anyone can enjoy it.
I’ve shared the book at schools, libraries and community centers across Pennsylvania as part of my Learning with Lizzie presentations. We talk about favorite books, why reading is fun, and how today’s readers truly become tomorrow’s leaders. An English-Chinese bilingual edition is also on the way.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey?

Seeing the direct impact—whether it’s kids proudly taking home books, teachers stocking their classrooms or students I connect with during presentations—is incredible. Books build literacy skills, but they also provide confidence and empowerment that carries into every aspect of life. Watching that transformation happen is the most rewarding part for me.

What upcoming initiatives are you most excited about?

Definitely our food pantry initiative. We’ve already distributed about 500 books through local pantries, and with the new grant, we’ll expand to more sites and families.

I’m also excited about growing our network of Literacy Leaders. Right now, most are in Pennsylvania, but we also have members in New York and Texas. Expanding nationwide will multiply our impact. One of my big goals is to reach the distribution of 100,000 books.

You’re about to start your senior year of high school. Do you plan to continue Literacy Is Lit in college?

Yes! I’ll continue some of the administrative work remotely, and I’ll rely on experienced Literacy Leaders here in Pennsylvania to take on more hands-on responsibilities. The network we’ve built ensures the mission can keep growing, even as I move into the next chapter of my life.

Why do you think it’s important for people to get involved in causes they care about?

Because giving your time, talent and treasure fills others’ buckets—and your own. Knowing you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself is the best feeling. By helping create better lives for others, we not only strengthen our communities but also build a better world.

What do you hope people will take away from your story?

That if you see something you want to change, you can change it. One person can make a difference, but collaboration multiplies impact. Earlier this year, I met U.S. Ambassador Moose, who told me, “When we believe in the changes we seek, it is easy to commit to doing all we can.” That really resonated with me. I hope others take that to heart and feel inspired to pursue their passions for change.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Lizzie? Find local volunteer opportunities.